A Season Comes to an End

It still doesn’t seem quite real. But indeed, Kansas held on for a 60-57 victory. Two weary fighters staggered to the finish line, with State landing a nice flurry of punches in the 11th round. Alas, there was nothing left for #12…and Kansas remained upright, winning on points.

I’m not angry, and I’m fully satisfied with the 2011-12 season. But I am sad, sad that there is no second act to look forward to this weekend. Sad that this particular, never say die unit will never play together again. We have seen the last game action for CJ Williams and Alex Johnson, probably for Calvin Leslie as well (at least for those of us who can’t bear to watch the NBA).

But they’ve all secured a place in our hearts forever. That never dies, never stops, never even really fades away. They brought back NC State basketball’s pride, and self-respect. That second part is more important than any media recognition, and Mark Gottfried’s greatest achievement.

I hope Calvin comes back, and leads an even greater run. But he’s a legend regardless, for his heart, determination, and quiet (unless you count gum smacking) leadership.

Thank you, players and staff. Thank you, one and all. Good night.

About BJD95

1995 NC State graduate, sufferer of Les and MOC during my entire student tenure. An equal-opportunity objective critic and analyst of Wolfpack sports.

NCS Basketball

77 Responses to A Season Comes to an End

  1. Sweet jumper 03/24/2012 at 12:59 AM #

    Amen. See my post at the end of the game thread for my thoughts. This is only the beginning of the Pack’s bball resurgence.

  2. statemech 03/24/2012 at 1:00 AM #

    Amen. Go State. So proud, goodnight.

  3. beeeejay 03/24/2012 at 1:00 AM #

    It is truly amazing how much I hated watching basketball my 4 years at school and then last year, but damn if this team didn’t come together and bring our fan base together. Hate for it to end on a game we probably should have won but I am so damn proud of this team and they will always be remembered by me.

  4. Clarksa 03/24/2012 at 1:01 AM #

    Great post.

  5. PackMan 03/24/2012 at 1:01 AM #

    Is it November yet?

  6. AppPack14 03/24/2012 at 1:04 AM #

    The guys in the Red and White adopted the attitude of our fight song “hands behind our backs, we can take on all the rest” and that made this team truly special. Their hands were tied tonight in several different ways but they kept fighting and I don’t believe that they ever lost the belief that they could win this game. Jimmy V would’ve been proud of this team. Best wishes to Williams and Johnson; as for the rest of the group I hope they get another shot next season!

  7. UpstateSCWolfpack 03/24/2012 at 1:05 AM #

    Thanks to the players and coaches, for a great effort this season. Our hope has been restored, and we look forward to next season when we will kick some ACC ass, and return to the NCAAs again for a deeper run.

  8. jjcosl 03/24/2012 at 1:05 AM #

    I am very proud of this team. They fought hard through some tough games throughout the season, conference and non-conference. The run in the ACC and the NCAA tournaments made it an exciting experience. I think a tremendous amount of credit needs to be given to the players for being able to grown throughout the season. But I must say, I think Coach Gott had the most impact on this season. His ability to take Coach Lowe’s players and make a really good basketball TEAM was inspiring. Congratulations to our guys; can’t wait for October! Go Pack!

  9. JohnGalt78Jr 03/24/2012 at 1:06 AM #

    What a great season for the pack. I am deeply proud of every last one of them. Glad to see that the game was called fairly and could’ve gone either way. Im confident that we played our absolute best and that we have great things ahead. Congratulations to Gott and the entire team. Go Pack!

  10. ADVENTUROO 03/24/2012 at 1:10 AM #

    In St. Louis. The fans were somewhat dejected, but not crying or whining. The Kansas fans were also not boisterous or gloating. Kansas realized just HOW close we came to ending their season.

    The guys played their hearts out. One one comment….all this year we have “died” by touch fouls. Tonight, it seemed like the No Blood, No Whistle rule had been changed to No Limb or Appendage Severed, No Whistle.

    So, it is over. UNC was REALLY lucky. They will be an interesting matchup against Kansas.

    GO PACK!

  11. MrPlywood 03/24/2012 at 1:15 AM #

    Wow. Right to the. very. end. They fought and fought and had more than a chance tonight. You can’t ask for anything more. Well done Pack, I loved these last few weeks.

  12. BureauOfMines 03/24/2012 at 1:15 AM #

    This team is going to be remembered for a long time. We are all very proud of them.

    The future looks bright for NC State basketball once more.

  13. VEHEMYTH 03/24/2012 at 1:16 AM #

    Have to say this season was fun, unexpected fun. To the players thank you for the great season, it was nice to see basketball once again. Proud is not a strong enough word for the way I feel about how this team played this season.

    Rebuild, no not this year State was not satisfied with it. They laid a foundation, built home for NCSU fans to come back to, and then they threw a party. They just got drunk a bit too early and had to leave before it was over. Pretty impressive stuff for a team that could only run ISO’s when Gott walk in.

    Go Pack!!!

  14. wufpup76 03/24/2012 at 1:18 AM #

    Wow, they never quit and damn near pulled it out.

    Fantastic, fantastic effort. No, it wasn’t pretty – but they never quit. And that’s all we’ve ever really asked. It was absolutely beautiful to watch this team these past few weeks.

    That was a team. This was so much fun. And I think it’s just beginning …

    Thank you so very much. Special thanks to Alex, CJW, and Kendall Smith – our seniors. Especially CJW for sticking with us and being that unsung leader. He was the glue that held us together until Leslie blossomed into an unstoppable force. Don’t underestimate the experience and positive leadership that AJ provided for us this season.

    Thank you team, staff, support – everyone. You all may never know how much this season has meant to so many of us bleed red State people. Thank you thank you thank you for showing what N.C. State is really all about.

  15. beeeejay 03/24/2012 at 1:21 AM #

    Also it was good to see that this team really seems to love one another which in turn helped me to love them back. Just thinking of the toxicity that existed in the past few seasons and I get ill thinking of the grant and costner teams. Keeping chemistry was critical this year and shows how Gott can connect with his players and get them to play as a TEAM

  16. Codebrown 03/24/2012 at 1:34 AM #

    As long as we play in March, we’ll always have a shot.

    Because we all believe. And because we all bleed red and white.

    I back THE PACK.

  17. FVWolf12 03/24/2012 at 1:47 AM #

    Wow, just wow. Last year, I kinda tuned the team out, had a lot going on at school. Popped in for one of the last games of the year, against Virginia, I think, and what struck me was how little effort those guys were giving. They just kinda let Virginia walk all over them. That was just about one year ago. If anyone had asked me if I thought that almost the exact same team, minus its starting PG could take Kansas to the last seconds of a Sweet 16 game, I would have asked for some of what they were smoking.

    So, considering that the Gottfather has turned these boys into men, and we’ve got 3 big time recruits coming in next season, and a 7 footer waiting to play, I guess I’d answer the question the same way today… what, you think that Kansas is going to be able to get close to us next year? What are you smoking? The future is bright, and for once in my life, I can’t wait for November.

    GO PACK!

    PS – First post… I just stumbled onto this site a couple months ago, and you guys are great. Thanks for being here!

  18. mak4dpak 03/24/2012 at 1:56 AM #

    A season of the unexpected. Great job coach, finally back to the ncaa tourney, and even to the sweet 16, with every chance to make the elite 8. This has been a great year for the fans of State basketball, and I look forward to coming years. Thanks!

  19. tractor57 03/24/2012 at 2:10 AM #

    It has been a LONG time comin’ …

    Win or lose that is what I want to see in a basketball game – all out effort and heart. I never thought this season would end on such a positive note. I did expect marked improvements but what we ended up seeing was much more than that.

  20. Wufpacker 03/24/2012 at 2:17 AM #

    I really think we match up well with KU and fully expected we’d play them tough. Seeds and W/L records be damned, we are playing every bit as good as they are at this point in time. The elite eight was there for the taking (and a very legitimate F4 chance) but we came up just a bit short. Hard not to be disappointed.

    Nonetheless, from the “big picture” standpoint it’s hard to not be ass-smack thrilled with the transformation of the players, team and program over the course of this season. Can’t argue with the “future is bright” mindset, and as soon as I get over losing the game tonight, I’ll be right there with ya. Would love to see Calvin come back for his Jr. season and give us a very real shot at another ACC POY and 1st team AA, not to mention a legit shot at the conference title and a F4 berth next year.

  21. PackFanInLA 03/24/2012 at 2:18 AM #

    SHIT, i wish we would have pulled that one off!

    But absolutely, these guys vs. Georgetown and KU were punched in the mouth, and then just punched right back at them. Love it.

  22. papackman 03/24/2012 at 2:53 AM #

    What a great season. At times I thought this was going to be another rebuilding year. So glad this team, this coaching staff and this AD proved me wrong. I hope all the underclassmen return to lead the Wolfpack back to the dance next year. I truly can’t wait for November. Thanks for a great season! Go Pack!

  23. PackerInRussia 03/24/2012 at 5:28 AM #

    I’m so happy to be sad this late in the season. Wish it could have continued though. Been an entertaining season and fun team to watch. They showed themselves to be an elite team over the last part of this season. It’s dangerous to assume that one team’s success will automatically carry over and be exceeded by the next, but they’ve done nothing to temper any hopes for the future.

  24. Tampa-Pack 03/24/2012 at 6:19 AM #

    Agreed! Thank you to the players, coaches, and administration! You’ve all put NC State back on the map. Exciting times ahead!

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